Claudio Echeverri: Manchester City set to sign Argentine wonderkid from River Plate, to beat Barcelona in transfer race

FC Barcelona and Manchester City are set to enter a rat-race to sign upcoming Argentine talent Claudio Echeverri from River Plate, after the youngster’s mindboggling performance in recently concluded Under-17 World Championships have fetched him the status of a rising talent. But, according to latest status, Manchester City are set to defeat Barcelona in this race, as they look to secure the services of Echeverri in the coming days.

Claudio Echeverri- rising star from the land of Messi and Maradona

Argentina never fails to amaze the world with the throng of superstars they have been producing since years. The prime era of projecting superstars began with the rising of football’s immortal legend, Diego Maradona, who had served among one of the greatest ever to grace the football field.

It was followed by the “little boy from Rosario, Santa Fe”, Lionel Messi who had become the face of football over the years, with his latest and most prestigious glory coming with his FIFA World Cup victory over France, as he got “pitched up in heaven” owing to his exuberance and talent.

The latest addition to that bunch of superstars who have the potential to showcase their mettle on the biggest stage is Claudio Echeverri, the latest prodigy from the heart of Argentina, who has swooned over selectors and scouts with his exceptional exploits in the recently concluded Under-17 World Cup. He has earned himself a name among the biggest stage of international football, with European veterans Manchester City and FC Barcelona eyeing him as their next top priority.

Following the steps of World Cup winner Julian Alvarez

Along with Echeverri, Manchester City has one more River Plate superstar among their ranks, Julian Alvarez, who has recently been named as the complete footballer, after winning every possible trophy within the span of two years- as his trophy cabinet boasts of a World Cup, Copa America, Finalissima for the country, along with a UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with Manchester City, becoming the youngest player to win all of them. Echeverri would look to emulate the feat of his predecessor as he would look to maintain his perfect composure after joining the European treble winners.

Although it is under the anticipation that if City manages to sign Echeverri, he would be loaned back to River Plate for the remaining of the season, similar to what Alvarez was treated to. According to several reports, Echeverri has reported that he would not be signing any new deal with Los Millonarios, and would enter the final 12 months of his River Plate career on New Year’s eve.

He had scored five goals in the World Cup, including a blitzkrieg hattrick at the quarter finals against arch rivals Brazil. Argentina eventually lost the final to Germany, which was a cracker-of-a-game, but Echeverri and his team won hearts. He is compared to Lionel Messi, owing to his playstyle and proficiency along the flanks, and is reportedly having a release clause of 25 million euros.